We are concerned to hear that Rebound in Almonte has closed. Its function of recycling/reusing household items, rather than having them sent to the landfill, is a loss for the larger community and for the environment.
Like so many other Canadians, we are concerned for the health of Planet Earth and the ravages of climate change. The haze of smoke from wildfires and the drought this summer are reminders of the reality of the Climate Crisis. We realize that we must Reduce, Reuse and Recycle (Triple-R) to slow the impact of climate change and help the Planet recover. We have always seen the Hub and Rebound as key contributors in the town’s need for a Triple-R strategy.
We appreciate the work carried out over the years by the Hub Board, the staff and the many volunteers who have helped meet these recycling needs at both the Hub and Rebound. We understand that with the increasing cost of rent, Rebound was no longer viable in its present form – it was costing more than it was contributing to the many community needs that the Hub supports. We thank the Board for keeping Rebound going as long as it has and for making the hard decisions in order to keep the Hub going strong. But we will dearly miss Rebound!
Rebound has been legendary for providing alternatives for those not able to afford to buy new. With the inflation of the last few years and the ongoing global trade fluctuations, many families are in need of the services that the Hub and Rebound have been able to provide.
Rebound was often the first stop for both young and old looking for everything from used pliers to a wooden dining table. Equally important, it represented an option for people downsizing or generally letting go of still usable articles. Taking them to Rebound meant that someone else could use them. Reuse is key to gaining ground in our climate crisis.
Anyone who has spent any time in Almonte knows the miracle of all that our volunteers accomplish. By combining this dynamic volunteer spirit with other resources and support the Mississippi Mills community can create a plan to meet the ongoing need for effective recycling and reuse, as well as providing affordable goods for those going through financial hard times.
If these concerns are close to your heart, please join the conversation by sending a message to After.Rebound@gmail.com and we will connect you with other interested individuals.
Some concerned Mississippi Mills community members.
An earlier version of this article ran in the August Humm. Members of “Building on Common Ground” of Learning Again in Almonte have now joined forces with the authors of this article. Together we are exploring what some other communities are doing on recycling and reuse. Watch local media for further articles with our findings – and join us in exploring options for the three ‘Rs’ in Mississippi Mills.
